AN EXCERPT AIRED TONIGHT ON THE “CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O’DONNELL,” AND THE FULL INTERVIEW WILL BROADCAST TOMORROW ON “CBS THIS MORNING”

NORAH O’DONNELL WILL ANCHOR CBS NEWS’ SPECIAL COVERAGE TOMORROW WHEN SPACEX AND NASA LAUNCH ASTRONAUTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION; CBSN WILL ALSO PROVIDE COVERAGE OF THE LAUNCH

In an exclusive CBS News interview, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said tomorrow’s expected launch “is the culmination of a dream,” adding the NASA astronauts have “nerves of steel.” CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann sat down with Musk and NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine to discuss SpaceX’s planned launch of NASA astronauts to the International Space Station on Wednesday afternoon.

Click here to watch the excerpt that aired tonight, May 26, on the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O’DONNELL (6:30-7:00 PM, ET). The full interview will air tomorrow on CBS THIS MORNING (7:00-9:00, AM) on the CBS Television Network.

Tomorrow’s launch will be the first time American astronauts will take off from U.S. soil since 2011. CBS News will provide coverage across all platforms.

CBS EVENING NEWS anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell will lead a CBS News Special Report at approximately 4:20 PM, ET from Washington, D.C. to cover the liftoff, which is scheduled for 4:33 PM, ET. Joining O’Donnell for the CBS News Special Report from the Kennedy Space Center will be Strassmann; CBS News space analyst Bill Harwood; and Garrett Reisman, former SpaceX manager and NASA astronaut who flew on two space shuttles.

CBSN, CBS News’ free 24/7 streaming news service, will begin live coverage tomorrow at 12:30 PM, ET, as the astronauts suit up and arrive at the launch pad. CBSN will continue coverage throughout the afternoon and will simulcast the CBS News Special Report. Coverage will continue Thursday when the spacecraft docks at the International Space Station.

CBS Newspath, CBS News’ newsgathering organization providing news and information to 200+ affiliates nationwide and to broadcasters around the world, will feature extensive coverage and digital content of the historic launch.

CBS News Radio will provide live anchored coverage of the historic launch with CBS News correspondent Peter King broadcasting from the Kennedy Space Center.

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